The Australian Rules football establishment was outwardly relaxed on Thursday yesterday about AFL life member and former competition tsar
Graeme Samuel
moving into enemy territory, rugby league.

Melbourne-based Mr Samuel is expected to be appointed an adviser to the Australian Rugby League Commission on NRL media rights negotiations, The Australian Financial Review reported earlier. The 2013-17 NRL broadcast and digital rights could fetch $1 billion in revenue.

He served on the AFL Commission for 17 years until 2002 and was one of its most influential figures.

Former Victorian premier and former Hawthorn president
Jeff Kennett
said he had no problems with Mr Samuel switching codes.

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Mr Samuel has an AFL scholarship named after him, providing $20,000 to a study course for a senior AFL manager.

AFL chief executive
Andrew Demetriou
was more circumspect than some other AFL insiders.

“Graeme’s a private citizen and entitled to do whatever he wishes to do. If he gets involved in the negotiation process with the NRL, it’s entirely a decision for him," he said.

Player manager and former Collingwood premiership player Craig Kelly said it would be a smart move by the NRL to tap Mr Samuel’s experience.

“He was instrumental in the previous [2002-06] rights deal the AFL did with Channel Nine, Ten, and Fox," he said.

“If the NRL can ensure it’s getting the right TV deals, it only helps the sport and the athletes."

AFL coaching legend
Kevin Sheedy
, who leads new club Greater Western Sydney, said after announcing the signing of five new players that Mr Samuel was influential in expanding Aussie Rules outside Victoria.

“He’ll only make top-class decisions, like he has done previously in business, and I have no doubt he could advise the NRL on what they feel they may need to do. You don’t leave talented people sitting around idle and he’s a very talented person."